Zami stood in the center of the shadowy platform, his breath steady but shallow. His katana gleamed faintly in the dim light, its edge sharp but ineffective against the formless entities that surrounded him. Each time he struck, they reformed, relentless in their pursuit.
He had tried every technique he could think of—fast, precise strikes, wide slashes, and even deceptive maneuvers like Hidden Strike. Yet, none of it made a difference. These shadows weren't physical; they didn't follow the same rules as the creatures he had fought before.
"Karesh," Zami muttered, his voice low but urgent. "You've seen what these things are. Why won't my techniques work?"
For a moment, silence answered him. Then, Karesh's deep, calm voice filled his mind.
*"These shadows are not of flesh or bone, Zami. They are born of your own psyche, your doubts and regrets. They feed on it, grow stronger from it."*
Zami frowned, his grip tightening on the hilt of his katana. "So, what am I supposed to do? I can't just let them overwhelm me."
*"You cannot fight them as you fight your usual foes,"* Karesh replied. *"They are reflections of you. To overcome them, you must do more than strike with your blade. You must face what they represent."*
Zami's jaw clenched as he considered Karesh's words. Face what they represent? He had always pushed forward, ignoring his own fears and doubts, focusing solely on survival. But now… now they were manifesting before him, blocking his path. He took a slow, deep breath, his silver eyes narrowing as he turned his attention back to the shadows.
"So, to defeat them, I need to face myself," he said, his voice steady but tinged with frustration. "Karesh, if that's the answer, then guide me. Show me how."
*"You already know the way, Zami. But first, you must let go of the need to fight. Embrace the stillness within you. Only then will their form dissolve."*
Zami closed his eyes, his body relaxing slightly. The shadows continued to move around him, their presence oppressive, but he didn't strike. Instead, he focused inward, his mind reaching for the calm that Karesh spoke of. It wasn't easy. Memories of battles, of losses, of the endless struggle in the Forsaken Hollow and Abyssal Cradle flooded his thoughts, threatening to break his focus.
But Zami wasn't a man who broke easily. With a steady rhythm of breaths, he began to let go of the tension in his body. The shadows grew restless, their movements erratic as if sensing the shift in his demeanor.
He opened his eyes, a flicker of determination in his gaze. "Let's see if this works."